Text Based RPG?

I'm sure you guys get this all the times, but I haven't the slightest clue how to build a Text Based RPG, however I am interested. Is there anything I should check out before jumping into it? Or furthere more, are there empletes for these things for idiots like me? Heh.

Nope, this is very possible, and quite simple. You need to learn a language. Without starting another language war, search the forums for posts recommending programming languages for beginners. For this sort of thing, C really isn't that complicated...

I've been working with Ruby lately... It's a pretty nifty language, and would be well-suited for something like this. It's a great alternative to Perl if you want something with similar capabilities, but without the horrible ugliness.

I would say if you already know a programming language, go ahead and do it with that language- writing a text rpg is really, really easy in any language, provided you are not trying to do anything too complicated with user input (e.g. natural language parsing.) Aim low, and don't try to have your game be too complicated, and you will learn a lot.

(Also, writing a GOOD text rpg in ANY language is HARD.)

If you have never programmed before, a scripting language like METAL is a perfectly good idea. It's probably also the case that if you've never programmed before, you will have trouble installing anything like Python, Ruby, or trying to actually make a game binary with them- they're not exactly user-friendly to set up. So if you have never programmed, it's probably best to try a user-friendly scripting system like METAL, though there are some other similar systems out there if you google.

It really does depend. If you just want to write a text rpg use python or ruby, (I'd go with ThemsAllTook and plug for ruby), they are standard on all Mac OS X boxes, no trouble installing anything. Don't use C it is a waste of time.

However if you'd want to then add graphics, or try and use the same language to make gui apps, I'd use something Basic like METAL.

eh? You mean that it might take a little longer to learn, right? I still disagree because basic C is great for doing a text based anything as you're learning it. You don't need to master it to use it for this pupose, and the skills learned here will serve you well in the future.

I came across this today that might be of interest to the original poster. However, the download link for Mac OSX didn't work. Maybe I'll try making a Cocoa port (unless someone else wants to take a stab at it).

Nayr Wrote:ruby would be great for this sort of thing... I might suggest Java if you want to create an enginge oof your own...

Actually, I would heavily recommend against Java for a project like this, unless you want to make it hard on yourself (or want it to run in a web browser, in which case I might suggest Javascript over Java because Javascript is a superior language ).

Basically, Java has no strong benefits associated with it in the area of text processing. Perl, Python, Ruby, or Javascript have complex string manipulation abilities (Perl and Javascript have particularly powerful regex manipulation, though I don't know Ruby's exact capabilities in this area -- also, I, personally, think that these four languages are more fun to code in than anything else), while C is the de facto standard for programming, good all around, and will both teach you a lot by using it and be quite speedy once compiled (assuming, of course, that you have this massive parser that does all sorts of NLP or something... otherwise speed really doesn't matter in something like this, heheh).

The only reason I can think of to use Java is to make an Applet, and I'm not sure if that's a justifiable reason.

To be completely honest with you, I feel that Java is an inferior language, and many others agree with this viewpoint. (If you like Java, please do not go and flame me -- everyone has their own preferences, and I'd prefer to keep the thread civil. -- not that I've ever seen anyone who likes Java, heh. )